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Alone in Berlin

How did an ordinary, middle-aged couple become a symbol of defiance against Nazi brutality? This tale of courage unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of Berlin in 1940. Otto and Anna Quangel are a working class husband and wife doing their best to ride out the war. Their son is killed fighting on the frontlines. They begin pouring their rage and grief into postcards emblazoned with anti-Nazi slogans, risking everything to disseminate their messages of protest across the city.

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Shows the very serious implications of living in Nazi Germany during WWII and hating the Nazis. Wow! What freedom we have in this Great Country of the United States. We need to keep it that way for us and our future generations.
This story is about what one couple decides to do after a tragedy occurs in their lives. They live in Berlin. The art direction is so good in this. It reflects the repression of all of the societies of occupied Western Europe during WWII. Very sad time in Western Europe's history. Highly recommend watch.

I picked this DVD up simply because it starred Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson, two actors who never fail to give top-shelf performances. I was not disappointed.

Set during WWII, Alone in Berlin is based on the true story of Otto and Elise Hampel, a middle-aged working class couple who have become disenchanted with Hitler's regime and decide to take a stand in their own small way. The film is slow and quiet with an understated strength and beauty that lingers long after it's over. The opening shots introduce a story about people rather than war. And time and time again the cinematography focuses on exactly what needs to be seen to deeply know the story. Thompson and Gleeson are stunning--always hitting the right notes with a subtlety that makes you see and feel the Hampels, not actors portraying them.

While watching the bonus features, I learned that this film was inspired by Hans Fallada's 1947 novel, one of the first anti-Nazi novels by a German published after WWII. Even more interesting to me was the fact that it wasn't translated into English until 2009. The director of the film mentioned initially trying to make the film in German but couldn't get enough funding; he eventually decided to create it in English and, in the end, felt that by so doing it elevated the story beyond us vs. them and made it into more of an "anyone of us could be anyone of these people" story. (Note: the actors actually speak with German accents [rather than British ones] -- yay!)

If you're looking to better understand WWII from an everyday German perspective, this offers that...and so much more.

As someone who's mother lived in the middle of these events, but never spoke of it, this was an eye opener. Stellar performances and a compelling story - this is the kind of history that young people need to see, discuss and learn from so that it never happens again.

An excellent period piece, based on a true story about a very sad time in human history. Very well acted, written and directed. You may find this film difficult to watch, but we must know our past, as not to let oppression on this level ever happen again. Well worth the time.

Any film with Gleason or Thompson, I watch. This is a factual account (a few minor things were changed) as to how difficult it was to oppose the government in charge. I've read/known of other accounts, but this one was new to me. The fear many people felt was palpable from this portrayal. Would I be willing to stand up for justice, principal & humanity in such a scenario? Most likely it would mean torture & definitely death for one's belief/actions. This has nothing to do with religious beliefs, after all Herr H, the monster, was a Lutheran as were most of his followers.

I was very curious as to follow up - Every Man Dies Alone is the book. Another surprise for me was the use of the guillotine at that time. Must have been quick.

Age

Quotes

You know what they called me in the courtroom, don't you? No? Cold-blooded Fromm. I have a mistress whom I obey. Her name is justice.
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"Hitler's shadow falls over Europe like the devil's shadow. Pass this card on.
Down with the Hitler regime."
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"Mother. The fuhrer murdered my son. Mother. The fuhrer will murder your sons, too."
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"Pass the information. Join the free press. Fear has taken control of you. Kill it. Kill Hitler."
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"Each thought against the national socialists is like sand in the criminal war machine. Pass on this card. Free press."
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"How many children have to die? Fear is their only weapon. Free press."
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"Help us to put an end to the criminal war machine. Free press."
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Do I look like someone who would let his wife dictate things to him?